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Human embryonic development: from peri-implantation to gastrulation
Jinglei Zhai1, Zhenyu Xiao1, Yiming Wang2
1The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, P. R. China.
Trends in Cell Biology
|August 21, 2021
Summary
Human embryo development, crucial for establishing the body plan, is poorly understood. Recent in vitro models offer new insights into early embryogenesis from peri-implantation to gastrulation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Gastrulation establishes the mammalian embryo's basic body plan and three primary germ layers.
- Human embryonic development from peri-implantation to gastrulation is critical but poorly understood.
- Advances in in vitro culture and embryo-like structures are shedding light on early human development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in in vitro models of human embryogenesis.
- To explore future directions for studying human development from peri-implantation to gastrulation.
- To enhance understanding of the mechanisms governing early human embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on in vitro embryo culture.
- Analysis of studies utilizing embryo-like structures for developmental research.
- Synthesis of findings from rodent and non-primate embryonic development models.
Main Results:
- Elongated in vitro culture techniques have been developed for rodent and non-primate embryos.
- Novel embryo-like structures have been constructed, aiding developmental studies.
- These models are improving the understanding of human early embryonic development mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- In vitro models are crucial for investigating human embryogenesis.
- Further development of these models will illuminate peri-implantation and gastrulation stages.
- This research holds significance for both basic science and clinical applications in reproductive health.
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